8th Grade Virtual Graduation
I am the mother of four living in the Englewood community. My oldest child is an eighth grader who is looking forward to starting high school next year.
I am the mother of four living in the Englewood community. My oldest child is an eighth grader who is looking forward to starting high school next year.
CPS announced that high school seniors will have virtual graduation this year, due to COVID-19. That's great for many families, but it also raises other questions and concerns. Will eighth graders, who have worked hard for 9 years to get to this important transition, also be able to participate in virtual celebrations?
Many families also do not have access to internet, which raises questions about who will be able to watch and participate in a virtual graduation.
We need to have a plan to reach out to students to find out which families do not have access to internet at home. Guaranteeing access to those families without should be our first priority to ensure fairness in the age of remote learning and virtual graduations at CPS.
LaTeShia Hollingsworth, Englewood
Learn more about Chicago's digital divide in our issue brief, and sign up to get involved.
From Fellow to Force: Tierra Pearson’s Journey to Parent Advocacy
Tierra Pearson’s journey through Kids First Chicago’s Parent Leadership Fellowship shows how parent leadership can spark lasting change. From inaugural fellow to West Side Community Engagement Coordinator, she reflects on finding her voice, building power, and helping other parents step confidently into advocacy for their children.
Rooted in Advocacy: Teresa’s Journey Through Parent Leadership Fellowship
Teresa’s Parent Leadership Fellowship journey is a story of growth, courage, and community. Through PLF, she found her voice as a parent leader, strengthened her advocacy for her children, and discovered the power of showing up—not just for her family, but for others too.
Parent Leader Reflection, José Quiles
José, a K1C parent champion, reflects on a lifetime of working with families, immigrants, and young people — finding that true fulfillment was never found in titles or recognition, but in the quiet, lasting transformation of those he served. Rooted in faith, his legacy lives on in every life that moved forward because someone chose to stop and help them rise.